The Küche or kitchen in a German, Austrian, or Swiss home is usually smaller and more compact than its U.S. counterpart — not only because European homes and apartments themselves tend to be smaller, but also because European kitchen appliances are smaller and more economical. A typical refrigerator (Kühlschrank) is about half the size of an American one. It therefore holds about half as much and uses half the energy. Full size refrigerators are also available for those who prefer them and have the money to pay for the extra electricity...
If you are planning to buy or rent a German apartment, be aware that it usually comes with a “bare” kitchen. “Bare” is indeed the right word. Your new kitchen may be nothing more than four bare walls with roughed-in plumbing and electrical connections—even the kitchen sink may be missing!
The German word Küche also means cooking or cuisine. Deutsche Küche means German cuisine.
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Book excerpt ©1997 McGraw-Hill/Passport Books
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